"Did you ever see a place where it’s a joy to be on the water just because it looks “fishy”? …Little Red River is one of those (places)." Richard Crawford, Eye of the Guide

Noted as one of the most popular fishing and floating streams in Arkansas, the Little Red River offers 30 miles of world class trout fishing waters from the base of Greers Ferry Dam near the town of Heber Springs to eventually merge with the White River, just east of Searcy. The foremost reason for its popularity is plain and simple - the trout - thousands and thousands of which are stocked in the stream on a regular basis. Rainbow, Brown, Brook and Cutthroat trout, along with spotted, rock and smallmouth bass, bluegill, longear and green sunfish and chain pickerel, await the true fisherman on this magnificent stretch of Ozark Mountain stream.

In the 1960’s, the Little Red River was developed after the completion of Greers Ferry Dam. The 31,500 acre Greers Ferry Lake created a Dam flow of frigid waters not well-suited for the native warm-water fishes. Rainbow trout were the first to be raised and released. With the consent of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, determined fisherman distributed brown trout eggs and then stocked fingerlings in the River. Soon thereafter, the cutthroat and brook trout were introduced to the Little Red River’s waters. By far, the rainbow trout seems to be the common catch of the river.

Water Levels

The Little Red River is a year-round stream and is dependent upon Dam releases for its flow. The River is typically higher during the week, when the generating station is operating. The water level will rise about 4 feet vertically with each generator, making wade fishing only possible along the edges in just a few places. Weekend flows are generally lower than weekday flows, and can be too low to paddle. The forks above Greers Ferry Lake are dependent upon recent local rainfall and can run dry much of the time, so paddling them is not a common activity. When they do run, the flow can be high and too dangerous for boaters with less than intermediate whitewater level skills. One of the really great features to the Little Red River is that it is a fun river to run when the water is just right, but like so many rivers, timing is everything.

For the current water levels, call the Greers Ferry Powerhouse (501) 362-5150. The recorded message is a report of current turbine generator operation not a forecast of future schedules.

Characteristics of the River

Below the Dam in Heber Springs, the first few miles of the River are strewn with boulders, creating Class I-II whitewater rapids, increasing to Class III in high water conditions. The rapids are not particularly difficult for experienced whitewater paddlers, but may pose some problems for those with little or no skills. Downstream, the River is characterized by long, quiet pools that are occasionally dotted by islands, rocky shoals, deep holes and occasionally low water. The River again becomes a somewhat easy whitewater adventure above the low-water bridge just north Pangburn, after which it widens and slows as it approaches another area of shoals. The River actually continues for about 30 more miles to the confluence of the White River, but is not frequently paddled because of limited access and natural obstacles.

Access Points

Conveniently located adjacent to Lobo Landing Resort is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Public Ramp. Additional access points include the Upper River access along the north bank next to the Federal Fish Hatchery, the Middle and Lower river accesses at Barnett (Winkley Bridge), Dripping Springs and Ramsey. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission maintains the Middle and Lower access points.